Google owns YouTube, which it acquired from its founders in 2006.
YouTube was founded in 2005 by former PayPal employees Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. The site’s first video, “Me at the zoo,” was uploaded by Karim on April 23, 2005. YouTube quickly attracted users by making online video publishing and viewing simple.
Google announced its acquisition of YouTube in October 2006 for approximately $1.65 billion in Google stock. The transaction gave Google a rapidly growing video platform while allowing YouTube to retain its brand and operational identity.
YouTube is a Google product, and Google is Alphabet’s principal subsidiary. It is not owned by Meta, whose major platforms include Facebook and Instagram. YouTube’s business includes advertising, subscriptions, creator tools, and music and television-related services.